I found this chapter rather difficult to write; it's hard and draining trying to put yourself in your characters shoes!
A shout out to bellesammileigh who hates my cliff hangers...I'm sorry! I shall send you plenty of Erik hugs! *erik huggins galore*
feel better?
I have also started to write another story but I shall give you details on that at the end of this chapter.
Summary: Count Leonard has returned and his daughter Christine knows...He owes SO many birthday and Christmas presents it isn't even funny...
It was the song that did it; the sound of that tune being sung by her that overruled Leonard's senses, causing him to stand within reaching distance. Not even Erik, who wanted him to wait, could stop him from getting to his resurrected daughter.
The last time he saw her she was only a little girl; barely a centaury, and after all this time he can still see that feisty, happy, beautiful little girl before him in the body of a young woman.
When his eyes found her, her human qualities were instantly forgotten. She is exactly like Elizabeth. Hair; height; shape of face; her beauty; just like her mothers. But of course there is the odd feature that holds nothing of Elizabeth. Christine's eyes for one of course, but also the way she carries herself. Elizabeth was more placid; she wasn't shy, just more reserved. Christine however, to Leonard, seems more confident, more outgoing. Watching the way she laughed and talked so freely and openly to the other women, it was apparent she was content no matter the subject she was discussing. She even briefly talked about him. How miraculous that this human version of Christine knows about her father. How wonderful that her now mortal beating heart still has a spot secured just for him.
He had to speak to her; he had to get her to turn so they can be reunited...And she did.
How ironic it is that father and daughter believed the other dead when actually they live...How odd that when there matching eyes finally connected that both mirrored the same emotions: surprise, disbelief, amazement...joy.
Unfortunately her human self couldn't take in the shock, and to watch her fall, limp...weak...almost lifeless...
Erik was faster than him on getting to her; Leonard couldn't remove his stunned gaze from her feeble, immobile human form. She now lays unconscious on a pale blue chaise lounge, her own pale flesh contrasting against the material.
Too watch her crumble upon the stare of her vampire father...to hear her shallow breathing...to view a pulse bumping rhythmically under the angle of her jaw...This made the fact she's eatable all so real.Vampires feast on humans, and his little girl is one.
It was then that Leonard realised how fragile and delicate she actually is, and by his damning God he is not going to let himself, or any one else, to destroy her.
She awakens from the loving tune of a lullaby and the tender strokes from cold fingers. She didn't need the hum of the lullaby to know it wasn't Erik trying to wake her; she could tell by the different texture of the person's hands.
Stirring slightly from the comforting actions being given to her, she groans when her small movements causes a headache.
"Ssssshhhh."
The soother's call matches his song and touches; full of love and care.
Curious to find who this person is, her eyes flutter open.
It takes a couple of seconds to register that her own eyes are staring back.
It then takes another set of seconds to realise its quite odd to see her own eyes, not from her own reflection but from another person.
Lastly, more seconds are used to establish that this person, who sits ever so still; the emeralds intent on her, filled with love and concern; bearing the exact resemblance as her father. Her deceased father.
And then she remembers. She heard his deep voice, and the familiar sense of de ja vu hitting her like it does every so often when in the castle. She turned, and there he stood.
Exactly like he is in her mind, though his face is slightly worn; and his eyes-her eyes-his eyes, hazed with a mixture of astonishment and love.
But, it cannot be, her father is dead! She doesn't know how or when, but she was told he died!
This isn't real! Has her sanity finally cracked?
"There's no need to be scared, little one." The replica of Leonard softly assures; never once taking his eyes off her; not even moving an inch from his position beside her on the chaise lounge.
Little one...a reference her Papa used just for her...Only he called her that...
He looks so concerned; so caring. He looks just like her Papa.
The neck length wavy brown hair tucked behind his ears...his goatee and stubble in place...and his own emeralds that are shinning their familiar sparkle whenever they land on her.
The strength to speak is weak, but Christine tries. This couldn't be happening.
"W-W-Who a-a-re y-you?"
His green hazed even more, "It's your father, sweetheart. Your Papa." he encourages gently.
Christine notices that his hands have now curled onto his lap; his knuckles taunting the skin.
She flicks her eyes back to the matching set.
"B-B-But you c-can't be...My father d-died...Many, m-many centuries a-ago!"
Upon her statement his face turns immediately grave. "I never died, little one...I've always been living." His confession is feeble and tired, like each word caused him great effort.
He never died...He's always been around...He's always been on earth...Moving...Living...Existing...
'No.' Christine's mind screams, 'That isn't true... He's wrong...This person is wrong! It can't be her Papa!'
"You're lying." Her accusation is more broken than strong. "My father wouldn't do that to me...My father loved me, he wouldn't leave me an-and lie!"
Leonard bowed his head, appearing weaker than the mortal lying helplessly before him. His shoulders are slumped heavily, and his tight fists twitch ontop of his lap. The invincible Count, who has feared the hearts and existence of many creatures, is almost now a crumbling mess because of his daughter. His human daughter.
"I had to leave you..."he says quietly; so quiet that Christine stops her breathing in order to hear clearer. "I didn't want too, God knows I didn't...But I had too." he raises his head at this point; the emeralds glistening ever more from his un-shedding tears.
"There hasn't been a day-correction- there hasn't been a moment when I have not thought of you...I wanted nothing more than to see you...to hold you...I've missed you so much little one!"
His emotion is so thick it causes tears to tread down Christine's own cheeks; for her to shed the tears that Leonard desperately wants to discard.
While her tears trailed their wet paths, the only movement Christine can make is shaking her head.
Denial can be such a powerful emotion; can drive one mad. In this case, denial is causing Christine to reject her father; refusing to accept any of his excuses or even his presence.
Viewing her refutation, Leonard impulsively releases his fists, and his urge, and holds his daughters delicate wrists; pulling her to him so that his hands can cover her own; resembling hands that are clasped together in prayer; a plea for Leonard that his little girl will accept him once more.
Christine stiffens from the abrupt movements but knows it's pointless in pulling away; not because he wouldn't let her, she just doesn't have the strength. She feels rejected herself. Her father left her and lied to her for many centuries! She was only a little girl, and that little girl inside her cannot fathom why her Papa would do such a thing.
"Christine, please..." Leonard pleads; trying to make eye contact, "You must believe me when I say I didn't want to leave you-!"
"But you did." Her whisper blunt yet shaky.
"I had too! It was in order to protect you!"
Christine frowns; bemused and angry; staring accusingly at Leonard, "What have I got to do with your lie? Did I make you want to leave me?"
"No, Christine! If I didn't disappear then Andrew would've made my death authentic, and, at that time if he knew you, your own. I couldn't put you at risk!" said Leonard.
"Andrew?" Christine repeats the name in a mixture of understanding and bafflement. Her emeralds widened and her curiousness overpowered her hurt towards this man.
"I never considered the possibility that he may meet you when you got older, and if by chance he did you would've been made safe from George and the others." Leonard continued perseveringly; his thumbs lightly rubbing soothing circles on Christine's hands, "And then, unexpectedly, you met Erik."
"Erik is nothing like Andrew." Christine immediately defended, almost fiercely.
"I know, sweetheart," acknowledged Leonard softly, nodding his head, "I know he would rather die than allow any harm come to you, and for that I cannot dislike the man, even though he was rather reluctant on permitting me to be alone with you." a small smirk toyed his lips, but it quickly left when he continued, "He told me everything, Christine. All that you have been through when a vampire and now as a human..."His expression hardened, "Andrew will pay for what he's done, and he will suffer."
A chill ran through Christine from Leonards words. The Count can be just as lethal as Erik.
It seems to be that whenever something drastic has happened to Christine, Andrew is the reason why. Being with Leonard now, this could be her chance in finding out more about Andrew. Yes, her Leonard has greatly hurt her, but answers are wanted. She needs to understand why her life has turned out the way it did. Leonard could help the process.
After a pause, Christine allowed her curiousness take the better of her once more.
"Why does Andrew hate you so much that you had to leave?" she asked, vaguely knowing the answer.
"Your mother," Leonard replied, sadly; gravely. A look of deep reflection smoothed over his face, "She and Andrew were once an item. Their relationship was serious, but it had problems; main one being the fact that Andrew is very controlling. It took a while for your mother to see that. She was the kind of person that would easily go along with things; would do what she was asked. His conduct with her started off small; him refusing for them to attend the odd function or party, to then he wouldn't even allow her to see friends or to even be alone in a room. I think the fact she wasn't raised in royal circles made him believe he, who was a Prince at that time, had the right to control her; to mould her into what he believes a proper lady of royalty should be. When it came to him fulfilling his royal duties eventually she had enough. She didn't agree with the way he handled his tasks; the way he spoke with his people or even his decisions. She saw the darkness that he has and wanted no association with that."
Christine couldn't dismiss some similarities between Erik and Andrew from what Leonard said. Erik can be controlling but not aggressively so, and at times he would want her to agree with what ever he wants, but who doesn't? Everyone has a bit of stubbornness about them; who wouldn't want things to go there own way?
There may be comparisons between father and son, but it's light. Erik is a respected leader and King to his people; he judges everyone not from their stature but who they are. Erik also has not malicious bone in his un-dead body; Erik knows how to love.
Erik is not Andrew. Christine knows it and so does Leonard.
"I knew Elizabeth and Andrew when they were together," said Leonard, "and they did love each other, but in this case it wasn't enough for your mother to stay with him."
"Her name was Elizabeth?" said Christine in wonder.
Leonard snapped out his reverie, remembering that Christine's human brain doesn't know her mother's name. His small smile returning on seeing his daughter's marvelled expression, he replied, "Elizabeth Johnston's her full name. When you came along I wanted to name you after her, but she was never fond of her name, she said she didn't want the burden to be passed. So, she chose Christine."
Christine continued to stare in awe; revelling all this new information that's been given to her. Her mother chose her name; her mother named Elizabeth.
"She loved you very much, little one." said Leonard affectionately. "You were her greatest joy."
Her mother loved her. Elizabeth Johnson loved her daughter Christine Armitage.
Another questioned suddenly came to mind,
"How come you never married?"
"She didn't want too." Leonard answered somewhat matter-of-factly.
"Why?" said Christine, incredulous by the very notion. Vampires yearn commitment, what's stronger than marriage?
The small smile stayed on Leonards face, amused by Christine's rapt attention. He also couldn't help but be joyous knowing their hands remained joined; Christine hasn't yet once made an effort to remove his touch and herself from him.
"She never vocally said so, but I believe some of her decision was out of loyalty to Andrew. They were engaged themselves, and he loved her truly in his own way, so I think out of respect for him and what they had, she no longer wanted marriage."
"Did-Did she not love you as much as A-Andrew?" Christine asked attentively.
"She did love me, sweetheart. It just was a different kind of love from what she had with Andrew, but her love for me was just as strong, perhaps even a little more."
"But why refuse marriage to you?"
"Like I said before, our love was different; we didn't need a piece of paper to prove our love for one another. In her and Andrew's case they did. Not that I don't believe in marriage just that some couples are different, even vampires, and me and your mother were. Plus, I also think she didn't want to be referred to as a Countess." He added in light amusement.
"She could've been Princess though," Christine retaliated; completely bewildered by her mother's thought process. "If she stayed with Andrew she would've become Princess, even Queen!"
"And when she was with Andrew she wanted to be; if she wanted to become Andrew's wife, she had to become a Princess." said Leonard, "But people change. She didn't change her idea of no longer wanting a title because she didn't love me, she just changed her mind, and she knew I would be alright with it."
"Did she-" Her hesitation on the question was due to awkwardness; Christine sort of understands why Elizabeth chose not to marry Leonard, but she wanted to know why she, Elizabeth's daughter, was given the Count's name. "Did she want me to take your surname because she didn't?"
"There could've been an element of truth to that on why she agreed..."said Leonard thoughtfully; caringly. Emeralds grew ever tenderer, "But I was the one that chose your surname. I wanted you to have it, not because your mother didn't take it, but because I wanted you branded as my own; as my child. Elizabeth wanted you under the protection my title could bring. She suspected Andrew wouldn't approve of our relationship and...of you, if he found out about you." his emeralds darkened furiously, "And so for your benefit if anything would've have happened to us, you were, and still are, able to access my entitlements."
"Was Andrew involved in her death?" Christine asked pressingly; alarmingly.
At this Leonard's mild amusement evaporated, and the graveness returned. His eyes left Christine's for a moment and he appeared as if he was thinking carefully; choosing his upcoming words.
"She died from unforeseen circumstances."
"You didn't properly answer the question..." said Christine quietly; sinking dread beginning to cloud her emotions.
Leonard looked like he was battling with himself; either with what to say or if to even say it, it was hard to tell. "I'd like to think he didn't..." Leonard's voice too became quiet; the lowness of his deep tone sounded heavy; strained. "But from knowing what he did to you..."His eyes have yet to reconnect with his daughters. "I never told you how she died." he admitted uneasily.
"Then tell me now." Christine demanded gently.
It was now Leonards turn to become troubled and tense; Christine could even feel his hands starting to shake over her own. She couldn't help but feel sympathy towards him; it's obvious from his expression how difficult he's finding to recall this event.
Leonard swallowed apprehensively before speaking; still in his quiet, low tone.
"I don't know fully, but from what I could gather, she, along with others, was attacked by a pack."
Christine didn't need to enquire his term. Wolves killed her mother.
"I was overseeing my troops, preparing them for an upcoming battle. George, David and Oliver were there helping me form a strategy, when one of my servants appeared dishevelled and badly beaten. She told me about the attack on the condo we were habiting. She said that Elizabeth was badly injured and that you..." his hands began to shake more so, "you were missing..."
Leonard took some uneasy breathes before he was calm enough to continue, "The place was in ruins...Bodies and limbs everywhere...There was even a fire set on the building. Elizabeth was at the back of the grounds, lying, unmoved...She died before I got there. The servant that was with her told me that before she died she said that you must be found, that you were safe. She was too far gone to say anymore, her wounds were...great." The paleness of his skin was greater than ever, and his hands refused to still. His eyes were glued to nothing in particular, only watching that horrible memory. Those images; the smell; the feel of the air; will never leave him.
"Those who were alive were too weak to go inside the condo, but the second I heard there was hope you were alive I ran in. I couldn't lose my other girl. The smoke and heat was thick, making it near impossible to see and to move...Then I heard your cry...You were just a baby...Barely a year...I found you inside a basket under the bed, miraculously unharmed. Elizabeth must've been warned there was an attack giving her the chance to hide you...To this day I do not know the wolves that did it; I don't even know why. We had no problems with them before then. Now I can't help but think that they were sent...and an idea of why is starting to form..."
Andrew. That's what it comes down too; Andrew.
It's always Andrew.
The tower is pitch black, damp, and cold, but none of this is an issue. A vampire welcomes these elements; it's what their made to be familiar with. They can see just as well in the dark as they can in the light; for them the dark is more hospitable. They aren't referred to as 'Creatures of the Night' for nothing.
No windows; one heavily bolted door; and the only chance of exit is surrounded by armed guards.
He sits on the mucky ground, the circular stone wall curving his back, fiddling an object with his hands. His expression is vacant, like he doesn't have the care in the world what fate is setting in store for him. The vampire lords will make their decision, no doubt about that, but that doesn't mean he, Andrew, will have to comply quietly. He is a King after all.
If you weren't a vampire you wouldn't have been able to see the slightest hint of a sadistic smile diminishing his once vacant expression, nor the dim glimmer of a silver gun twiddling playfully beneath his fingers...
Things are about to get interesting...mwhahahaha! And I can tell you that this story shall be turned into M very soon. You have to keep checking this story to figure out if it will be the next chapter or the chapter after that, I have yet to decide.
Anyways, those who are enjoying my story, or is a Harry Potter geek like myself, I am in the middle of writing another story H.P related. So I am juggling two stories, oh my wee head has been melting!
It's called 'Back to Black': 'There was always one person missing in the wizarding world and now she has suddenly returned. How will Harry, and especially Sirius, cope with the person that was meant to be there all along?'
Action/Drama/Family/Romance - the whole sha-bang...never mind I've only so far uploaded 2 chapters.
I will NOT forget about 'Dreaming Reality' how can I with you lovely people reading and reviewing? But I'd like to see how this H.P fic shall go, hence why I am working on two stories at the same time. If it sucks then I'll know I should stick with vampires.